Pinel Island: a tropical paradise
off French St Martin

Charming Pinel Island, or Isle Pinel, or in French Ilet Pinel or Ile de Pinel, is a tiny island on the north end of St. Martin, 5 minutes off the shores of French Cul de Sac, and a few hundred yards off the northwestern end of Orient Bay. A must see on your visit! It is the place where residents of St. Martin/St. Maarten go to relax, especially on weekends! The end of the road at French Cul de Sac opens onto a wide sandy area where visitors find "the ferry station", a dock, parking and a shack that rents out Kayaks. Vendors and small ferry boats are waiting there to run you over to Pinel for a fee of $7-8 dollars. Enjoy a wonderful short five minute taxi-boat ride on the pristine and shallow waters for a relaxing day of exploring, sunbathing, or a picnic on this tropical paradise!

With lots of shallow waters, this paradise like sand point is protected from pounding surf. The water is calm and crystal clear, accompanied by beautiful beaches.

When you arrive on Pinel Island you will see a large sand spit. Behind that a stand of Coconut palm trees, and then a small hill that makes up this picture perfect paradise. There are no cars, no roads, (and of course no ATM!), however you will find a a few of beach bar restaurants, one is run by Frenchmen (Le Karibuni), the another one is "Yellow Beach", a local tiki-hut style place serving BBQ food, seafood and grilled fresh lobster.

The beach bars get their power supply by generators, by the way. Between these bars, hidden in the sea grape, there is the "Paradiso" gift shop (Tom´s Place), a treasure chest of Caribbean colors and unusual gifts.

"Yellow Beach's" view
towards Orient Bay

At the "Yellow Beach" Restaurant on Pinel

Contemporary style at this fine VillaVilla Cote Mer with a fabulous view of Pinel

Ideal for snorkeling for its coral reefs (there is a snorkel trail) and for sunbathing, as the main beach stays sun-drenched until the end of the day.

Some people have been known to camp here overnight, but be aware that camping is not permitted as it is a nature preservation area!

At the Karibuni beach bar, they serve you drinks right away into the shallow water!

Karibuni beach bar restaurant on Pinel

Pinel Island is also a
clothing optional
(topless) beach, especially the north side.